Sibusiso Kubheka became the first person to complete a 100km run in under six hours, in a unique running event powered by adidas, exploring what’s possible when the fastest athletes on the planet are combined with the latest speed-focused innovations.
Taking place at the iconic Nardò Ring in Southern Italy and with the competing athletes wearing precision-engineered adidas footwear and state-of-the-art apparel designed to enable more speed, Kubheka shaved an astonishing 6 minutes and 15 seconds off the previous fastest time of 06:05:35 – etching his name in the history books.
Alasdhair Willis, Chief Creative Officer at adidas, said: “Chasing 100 is the story of our deep-rooted drive to go faster. An opportunity to see what’s possible when we work at speed, break new boundaries in design, and test new possibilities in footwear and apparel. Kubheka’s history-defining performance – achieving something no one has ever come close to – is an immense achievement that we are incredibly proud of. This is a true testament to the power of combining adidas Innovation with the very best of athletic prowess to push the limits of human capability forward.”
Built for and alongside each of the five athletes taking part – previous 100km world record holder Aleksandr Sorokin (Lithuania), Jo Fukuda (Japan), Charlie Lawrence (USA), Ketema Negasa (Ethiopia), and Sibusiso Kubheka (South Africa) – adidas developed bespoke head-to-toe footwear and apparel with the latest in speed and cooling innovation, including:
Adizero Evo Prime X
Built for one thing – speed. Each pair is individually tailored to the runner, with a precision-fit upper and an ultra-responsive midsole. The stack height is calibrated to the runner’s unique forces, giving maximum cushioning and energy return. Born from constant testing with athletes, it’s a shoe designed to unlock personal bests.
Ultracharge
A breakthrough years in the making. Five days before race day, the shoes are placed inside a high-pressure vessel where air bubbles are pumped into the midsole foam. This boosts energy return and creates a springier, more responsive ride.
CLIMACOOL Pre-Cooling & Per-Cooling System
Keeping athletes cool was just as important as speed. Before the race, they used a special cooling vest and a CLIMACOOL insulating jacket (inspired by AMG Formula 1) to lower body temperature and heart rate. During the race, cooling neck wraps, moulded to arteries and veins, were swapped out to help maintain endurance.
Clima 3D Singlet (Coming 2026)
Made with CLIMACOOL 3D embossed fabric, this singlet is body-mapped for maximum airflow in high-sweat areas. It speeds up sweat evaporation and enhances cooling for long-lasting comfort.
TechFit Short Tight (Coming 2026)
Designed with stiffening bands that match each athlete’s body composition. These bands stabilize the hips and improve running economy, helping runners stay strong and efficient even under fatigue.
Speaking of the history-making performance, new 100km record breaker Sibusiso Kubheka said: “I’m so proud of my performance out there today. Breaking this record and becoming the first person to run 100km in under 6 hours was not easy – but thanks to adidas’ partnership, belief and bespoke technologies, we made it happen. When we combine the best athletes, the right preparation and sports Innovation, anything is possible.”
Meanwhile, Charlie Lawrence and Aleksandr Sorokin both beat the current fastest time (held by Sorokin himself). The results were:
- Sibusiso Kubheka, 5:59:20
- Charlie Lawrence, 6:03:47
- Aleksandr Sorokin, 6:04:10
This remarkable set of athlete performances are part of Chasing 100, a new adidas intention to push the limits of human performance through bold challenges, breakthrough technology and athlete-led innovation.
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